Robert Maxwell And His Orchestra - Songs

ABOUT

Robert Maxwell (April 19, 1921 - February 7, 2012) was a highly acclaimed harpist, songwriter, composer, bandleader, and teacher with a unique style blending pop and classical music elements who became famous as a recording artist during the 1950s and early 1960s. He had his biggest hit as Robert Maxwell, His Harp & Orchestra with his Top 20 instrumental cover of "Shangri-La" (1954), a pop standard he co-wrote in 1946 with Matty Malneck and Carl Sigman. Maxwell's version, which kicks off with a harp glissando, also features organ and saxophone solos. As Bobby Maxwell & His Swinging Harps, he had a Top 40 hit with his instrumental remake of the evocative "Chinatown My Chinatown" (1952). Other hits include "Peg O' My Heart" (1964, as Robert Maxwell, His Harp & Orchestra) and the self-penned "Little Dipper" (1959), the latter credited to The Mickey Mozart Quintet.

Born Max Rosen in the Bronx, New York, he was playing the harp by age 10 and in his teens, was awarded a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. At 17, he became the youngest member of the National Symphony Orchestra and also gave solo performances in both New York and Los Angeles, performing under such eminent conductors as Arturo Toscanini and Serge Koussevitsky. During World War II, while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard band led by Rudy Vallee, Maxwell began branching out to popular music and jazz. In addition to "Shangri-La," Robert Maxwell's other compositions include the magical "Ebb Tide," a pop standard he co-wrote with Carl Sigman covered by numerous artists. In addition, his song "Solfeggio" became famous as the theme for Ernie Kovacs's comedy sketch, "The Nairobi Trio."

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SONGS

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Robert Maxwell And His Orchestra

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